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Tom Selleck Finds Trouble In Paradise With ‘Jesse Stone: Benefit Of A Doubt’
Premiering tonight on CBS, JESSE STONE: BENEFIT OF A DOUBT is the sixth television feature film based on the popular character created by the late crime novelist ROBERT B. PARKER. A reclusive, alcoholic police chief in the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts, Stone battles his demons while trying to balance his personal and professional lives. Co-written [...]
‘THE AVENGERS’ SINKS ‘BATTLESHIP’ WITH $55 MILLION WEEKEND
The good news is Taylor Kitsch landed lead roles in two high profile, big budget films. Unfortunately, those films were John Carter and his latest misfire, Battleship. The aliens meets a popular board game feature, co-starring Liam Neeson and Rihanna, laid an egg in its weekend debut, finishing second with a disappointing $25.3 million, while [...]
NADINE LABAKI’S “SOUL” JOURNEY WITH ‘WHERE DO WE GO NOW?’
"I'm always looking for this unexpected moment of truth," says Nadine Labaki, director of the drama Where Do We Go Now? "And in order to have this unexpected moment you have to be open to creating unexpected things, and doing things you are not supposed to do."
The quote was in reference to the Lebanese [...]
Taylor Kitsch Finds Love Among The Ruins In ‘Battleship’
In theaters today, BATTLESHIP has the navy doing its best to ward off attacking aliens hell bent on destroying the planet. A mess of a movie with only a couple of redeeming qualities, it appears to exist for no other reason than to blow stuff up. Directed by PETER BERG from a script by brothers [...]
Victoriana Gets Racy In Period Rom-Com ‘Hysteria’
Arriving in theaters today, HYSTERIA is a romantic comedy set in the Victorian era and centered around the unlikely subject of how Mortimer Granville invented the first vibrator in the name of medical science. Directed by TANYA WEXLER from a story by STEPHEN DYER, the film stars MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, HUGH DANCY, RUPERT EVERETT and JONATHAN PRYCE. [...]
There’s A Method To The Madness Of ‘Dictator’ Star Sacha Baron Cohen
Currently in theaters, THE DICTATOR is a wacky comedy starring SACHA BARON COHEN in dual roles as a foreign despot dedicated to keeping democracy far away from the country he lovingly oppresses and the poor schlub hired to impersonate him. Directed by LARRY CHARLES, the cast also includes MEGAN FOX, ANNA FARIS, BEN KINGSLEY, JOHN [...]
Matthew Morrison Moves From Small Screen To Big With ‘What To Expect…’
Opening in theaters today, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING is not just a cumbersome title but also an ensemble comedy focused on the effects of childbirth on five interconnected couples. Directed by KIRK JONES from a script by SHAUNA CROSS and HEATHER HACH, the huge cast includes CAMERON DIAZ, MATTHEW MORRISON, JENNIFER LOPEZ, ELIZABETH [...]
REVIEW: ‘MOONRISE KINGDOM’ A SUBLIME, UNFORGETTABLE TALE FROM WES ANDERSON
With every Wes Anderson outing, one can expect each character (even if they are foxes) to rattle off wittier than thou dialogue, embark on an eccentric (and soul searching) journey for a sense of belonging, and don an eclectic, mishmash of clothing any hipster would love. Mix in elaborate tracking shots, sumptuous art direction, [...]
More Encouraging News For ‘Entourage’ Fans From Emmanuelle Chriqui
We caught up with EMMANUELLE CHRIQUI last weekend to discuss her role in the upcoming Disney XD animated series TRON: UPRISING. She'll be voicing the character of Paige, the saucy confidant of the evil, power hungry dictator General Tesler. Also in the cast are ELIJAH WOOD, NATE CORDDRY, BRUCE BOXLEITNER, MANDY MOORE, PAUL REUBENS and [...]
Rihanna Found ‘Battleship’ Co-Star Liam Neeson ‘Scary But Kind’
Opening in theaters tomorrow, BATTLESHIP may have been inspired by the Milton-Bradley board game created in 1931 but it manages to go places the game never even tried. Directed by PETER BERG from a script by brothers ERICH and JON HOEBER, the plot has a fleet of American warships going into battle with an alien [...]
Griffin Sticking To Her No Celeb Policy On New Bravo Talk Show ‘Kathy’
Airing tonight on Bravo, KATHY is a weekly one-hour pop-culture talk show hosted by two-time Emmy Award-winner KATHY GRIFFIN that has survived its first month and is now in its fifth week. TV’s original gossip girl has more than kept her promise to deflate of the egos of everyone who’s anyone and has stayed true [...]
New To Blu: Good Cops Go Bad In ‘Rampart’
Just out on DVD and Blu-ray, RAMPART is a stunningly complex portrait of a corrupt Los Angeles cop trying to claw his way out of an Internal Affairs investigation that could cost him his job. Co-written (with JAMES ELLROY) and directed by OREN MOVERMAN, the movie stars WOODY HARRELSON, BEN FOSTER (who also produced), ANNE [...]
This Just In: A First Look At New ‘Anger Management’ Trailer
Set your DVR's for June 28, the confirmed start date for ANGER MANAGEMENT, the highly anticipated small-screen comeback of former TWO AND A HALF MEN star CHARLIE SHEEN. He'll play "Charlie", a non-traditional therapist specializing in anger management, with a successful private practice. Sharing the screen will be SELMA BLAIR, SHAWNEE SMITH, DANIELA BOBADILLA, MICHAEL [...]
ABC Announces New Dramas At SRO Upfront Presentation
Standing before a full house at New York's Lincoln Center yesterday, ABC Entertainment honcho PAUL LEE announced that the network will be bringing six new dramas and four new sitcoms to the schedule in an effort to elevate out of its current third place spot in the ratings. We have to admit that if all [...]
Tonight’s Episode Of ‘Criminal Minds’ Puts A Bow On Season Seven
Airing tonight on CBS, the two-hour season seven finale of the grisly crime drama CRIMINAL MINDS will focus on a pair of serial killers posing as bank robbers to mask their crimes as well as featuring the wedding of one of the main characters. The long-running series employs an ensemble cast that includes SHEMAR MOORE, MATTHEW [...]
Reginald Veljohnson ‘Gets’ Why TV Pick-Ups Count
A veteran of stage, screen and television, REGINALD VELJOHNSON is probably best known for his roles on the long-running TV series FAMILY MATTERS and as Officer Al Powell in the hugely successful DIE HARD franchise. An immensely likable performer, he's currently working as a recurring character on MIKE AND MOLLY and HART OF DIXIE as [...]
Burton & Depp Are Perfectly Fine With ‘Dark Shadows’ Outcome
Opening in the No. 2 position on the weekend box office chart, DARK SHADOWS failed to live up to expectations with an estimated $28.8 M. Directed by TIM BURTON and starring JOHNNY DEPP, DARK SHADOWS might be an indication that these two need to change their m.o. in the future. But, at the press conference [...]
Elijah Wood Not Sold On CineCon Presentation Of ‘The Hobbit’
Director PETER JACKSON made worldwide headlines when he presented scenes from his upcoming big screen adaptation of the J.R.R. TOLKIEN classic THE HOBBIT to attendees of this year's CineCon convention. Using a new technique that projects 48 fps, the film is said to be revolutionary.
We sat down last weekend with ELIJAH WOOD (who reprises his [...]
Broadway Lives! ‘Smash’ Picked-Up For Season Two, Wraps Season One Tonight
Right on the heels of the official announcement that NBC will be bringing SMASH back for a sophomore season, tonight sees the final episode of season one. Executive-produced by STEVEN SPIELBERG, SMASH is an elaborate musical drama that follows the conception and theatrical mounting of a Broadway production based on the life of screen legend [...]
Joan Rivers Remembers Johnny Carson: ‘He Was A Total S*#t!’
Airing tonight on PBS as part of the American Masters series, JOHNNY CARSON: KING OF LATE NIGHT is a two-hour documentary on the life and career of the man who defined the landscape of late night television. Created by two-time Emmy Award winning filmmaker PETER JONES and narrated by two-time Oscar-winner KEVIN SPACEY, the film [...]
Arsenio Hall Got Seal Of Approval From Johnny Carson
Unlike JOAN RIVERS, former talk show host ARSENIO HALL is perfectly happy with the PBS American Masters special JOHNNY CARSON: KING OF LATE NIGHT. He is one of 45 original interview subjects contained in PETER JONES' new documentary chronicling the life and career of the man who shaped late night television into a must-see experience. [...]
‘Harry’s Law’ Star Nate Corddry Not Pleased With Network Decision
In what has to be one of the most boneheaded decisions of the season, NBC has announced the cancellation of HARRY'S LAW, one of its most watched series for two seasons. Created by Emmy Award-winner DAVID E. KELLY, the cast featured KATHY BATES, CHRISTOPHER McDONALD, NATE CORDDRY and MARK VALLEY.
We sat down with CORDDRY to [...]
Bruce Boxleitner On Cancellation Of ‘GCB’: Been There, Done That
We sat down with show biz vet BRUCE BOXLEITNER over the weekend to talk about TRON: UPRISING, his upcoming animated series for DISNEY XD. Expanding the TRON franchise to yet another platform, the stylish series features a voice cast that also includes ELIJAH WOOD, NATE CORDDRY, MANDY MOORE, EMMANUELLE CHRIQUI, PAUL REUBENS, REGINALD VELJOHNSON and [...]
‘THE AVENGERS’ CROSSES $1 BILLION MARK WITH $103 MILLION WEEKEND
The Avengers, after taking in $103.2 million domestically and easily taking the #1 spot at the box office, has now crossed the $1 billion mark, as the feature also made over $95 million internationally.
With Marvel characters at an all time high, The Avengers' momentum should bode well for the box office prospects [...]
NBC Brings Back ‘L&O:SVU’ For 14th Season
Despite flagging ratings, the much-missed presence of CHRISTOPHER MELONI and a major cast overhaul, NBC has announced they will be bringing back the police procedural LAW & ORDER: SVU for another (its 14th!) season. Centered on an elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes as part of the Special Victims Unit of the New York [...]
‘THE PHILLY KID’ ENTERS THE RING FOR AFTER DARK ACTION SERIES
Now playing in select theaters (and available on VOD), The Philly Kid features Wes Chatham as Dillon McCabe, a recent parolee who reenters the world of fighting to save his best friend (Nikita's Devon Sawa) from a loan shark's clutches. After three victories, Dillon is forced to lose his next fight if he doesn't want [...]
‘God Bless America’ Star Joel Murray Happy That Film’s Message Gets Delivered
Opening today in limited theatrical release as well as being made available via VOD, GOD BLESS AMERICA is part social satire and part loud, angry rant against the decline of social behavior. Written and directed by BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT, the film stars JOEL MURRAY and TARA LYNNE BARR as a mismatched team of vigilantes traveling across [...]
‘Dark Shadows’ Is A Meeting Of The Minds Of Tim Burton And Johnny Depp
Finally arriving in theaters today, DARK SHADOWS is the highly hyped big screen adaptation of the goofy daytime soap opera first introduced in the late '60s. Centered on Barnabas Collins, a vampire who wakes up in 1972 from a 200 year nap, the film is a weird comedy/horror hybrid that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. [...]
Bickering Cops Reign On USA’s New Series ‘Common Law’
Debuting tonight on the USA network, COMMON LAW is a comedy/drama centered on two detective partners whose biggest problem in life is each other. When their constant bickering reaches fever pitch, the two are forced by superiors into "couple's therapy" in the effort to keep the team alive. As the fractious "couple", MICHAEL EALY and [...]
HOLLIE CAVANAGH SEES GROWTH WITH ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ JOURNEY
Hollie Cavanagh exceeded expectations on American Idol, as she made it to the top four and went out on a high note, delivering a stirring performance of "The Climb." During her exit song, Cavanagh moved across the stage to thank her fellow Idols Joshua Ledet (visibly teary during Cavanagh's elimination), Jessica Sanchez, and Phillip [...]
Eva Mendes Has Little Love For Her Character In ‘Girl In Progress’
Opening in theaters tomorrow, GIRL IN PROGRESS is a mother/daughter coming-of-age story that actually has mother and daughter BOTH coming of age. Directed by PATRICIA RIGGEN from a screenplay by HIRAM MARTINEZ, the film features EVA MENDES as a stressed out mom juggling work, bills, an affair with a married man and a rebellious teen [...]
Filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait Hates Reality TV (Except For The Shows He Watches)
Opening tomorrow in select theaters and currently available via VOD, GOD BLESS AMERICA is a delightfully subversive satire that centers on a depressed, middle-aged, divorced dad whose had enough of the revoltingly thoughtless human behavior that's become the norm and sets off on a cross-country killing spree to right as many "wrongs" as possible. Along [...]
TV’S Original Barnabas Collins Made One Last Visit To ‘Dark Shadows’
When director TIM BURTON and star JOHNNY DEPP began collaborating on adapting for the big screen the iconic '60s daytime soap opera DARK SHADOWS, one of the first things they agreed on was to pay homage to the series by inviting JONATHAN FRID on board for a cameo appearance. FRID, the Canadian actor who originated [...]
Expect An Out Of This World Season Finale For ‘The Big Bang Theory’
Airing tonight on CBS, the fifth season finale of the hit sitcom THE BIG BANG THEORY includes a last-minute wedding and a trip to outer space. And, for good measure, an out-of-the-blue marriage proposal. Created by CHUCK LORRE, the series owes much of its popularity to the ensemble cast of JOHNNY GALECKI, JIM PARSONS, KALEY [...]
MICKEY COHEN’S “LIFE AND CRIMES” CHRONICLED BY AUTHOR TERE TEREBA
I usually drive around Hancock Park and Koreatown in a caffeinated daze, with 1950s Chet Baker tunes swimming in my head as I envision a Los Angeles littered with fedoras, hopped up jazz, and the smell of blood money. This week's debut of Gangster Squad trailer only heightens my fever dream, thanks to Sean [...]
Indie Filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait Remembers Brush With Marvel Comics
Sitting down yesterday with filmmaker BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT to talk about his terrific new movie GOD BLESS AMERICA, the subject of last weekend's box office and THE AVENGERS came up. Apparently, at one point Marvel Comics had approached the former stand-up comic to direct a film based on one of their characters but by the time [...]
‘Dark Shadows’ Star Johnny Depp Wants Vampires To Stop Looking Like Underwear Models
As children, both TIM BURTON and JOHNNY DEPP were devoted fans of DARK SHADOWS, the hugely popular daytime soap opera that shook up the genre with its mix of gothic mystery and melodrama. So, when the subject of making a vampire movie came up during their collaboration on SWEENEY TODD, it seemed an obvious choice [...]
‘Around The World In 80 Plates’ Takes Competitive Cooking Global
Premiering tonight on Bravo, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 PLATES is the network's most ambitious project to date and follows 12 chefs as they compete over 40 days and in 10 countries, learning to deal with local customs and kitchens while being tested for skill and determination. Hosted by world famous culinary experts CURTIS STONE [...]
Eva Mendes Gives Back With Women’s Rights Doc ‘Half The Sky’
Soon to be seen on the big screen as a stressed out mom juggling work, bills, an affair with a married man and a rebellious teen daughter in GIRL IN PROGRESS, actress EVA MENDES next gets serious by joining the cast of the documentary HALF THE SKY. Based on the book HALF THE SKY: TURNING [...]
Stars Of ‘The Dictator’ Sing The Praises Of Sacha Baron Cohen
In the upcoming comedy THE DICTATOR, actor/writer SACHA BARON COHEN plays General Admiral Aladeen, a political despot who proudly aligns himself with the likes of KIM JONG IL and MUAMMAR GADDAFI. It was an all-consuming job for COHEN, who threw himself enthusiastically into the job, often working twenty hour days to perfect every aspect of the [...]
Jason Ritter Intimidated By ‘Real Deal’ Kathleen Turner
Currently in limited release and available via VOD, THE PERFECT FAMILY is a satiric family drama about a devoutly Catholic woman so desperate to win a church award that she fails to recognize her family for who they are. Directed by ANNE RENTON from a script by PAULA GOLDBERG, the ensemble cast includes KATHLEEN TURNER, [...]
New To Blu: Get Out Your Hankies For ‘The Vow’
Arriving on DVD and Blu-ray today, THE VOW is an overwrought tear-jerker about an amnesiac woman struggling to recover the memory of a man who loves her. After a car accident leaves her with severe memory loss, a woman struggles to revive her affection for her devoted husband. Directed by MICHAEL SUCSY and inspired by [...]
‘The New Girl’ says ‘See Ya’ With Tonight’s Season One Finale
Airing tonight on Fox-TV, the season finale of THE NEW GIRL(titled SEE YA) has Cece and Schmidt facing a major change in their relationship while Jess tries to take it all in. A major hit for the network, the show has catapulted star ZOOEY DESCHANEL to new heights as the "go to" girl for odd-ball [...]
‘Dark Shadows’ Star Johnny Depp Not Comfortable Wearing Producer Hat
Opening in theaters this week, DARK SHADOWS is director TIM BURTON’S spoofy big screen adaptation of the ’60s daytime TV soap opera that took the country by storm. A cult favorite, the gothic drama centers on vampire Barnabas Collins and his family as they deal with various creatures of the night. Under BURTON’S direction, the [...]
It’s A Wrap For Season One Of Breakout Comedy ‘2 Broke Girls’
Airing tonight on CBS, the hour long first season finale of 2 BROKE GIRLS finds Max and Caroline conniving to attend a fashion gala at the Met in hopes of getting guest star MARTHA STEWART'S seal-of-approval on their cupcakes. Written and produced by MICHAEL PATRICK KING and WHITNEY CUMMINGS, the regular cast features KAT DENNINGS, [...]
Will Smith Returns To The Screen After Three Year Hiatus For ‘MIBIII’
Opening in theaters later this month, MEN IN BLACK III is a time travel adventure that reunites WILL SMITH, TOMMY LEE JONES and director BARRY SONNENFELD as well as introducing JOSH BROLIN as a younger version of JONES' character.
It's a return to the screen for SMITH, who took a three-year "time out" to recharge, spend [...]
‘The Avengers’ Cleans Up At Weekend Box Office
Breaking all existing records for a three-day opening weekend, THE AVENGERS took in an estimated $200.5 M, making it far-and-away the box office champ. In the No. 2 position, THINK LIKE A MAN continued to hang tough with $8 M. Coming in third, THE HUNGER GAMES managed a healthy $5.7 M and, rounding out the [...]
Free Comic Book Day Was The Frosting On The Cake Of A Marvel-ous Weekend
As if THE AVENGERS breaking the weekend box office bank wasn't enough to get comic book fans dancing in the streets, we'd just like to thank the stores that participated in yesterday's FREE COMIC BOOK DAY all over the country for making it even better. What started out 11 years ago with just a handful of publishers [...]
‘LAST CALL AT THE OASIS’ SPOTLIGHTS GLOBAL WATER CRISIS
Oscar winning director Jessica Yu (Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of March O'Brien) and producer Elise Pearlstein (Food, Inc.) collaborate on Last Call At The Oasis, an ambitious documentary which attempts to put a universal as well as personal look at the global water crisis.
"The goal was to get a holistic view of [...]
USA’s Popular ‘In Plain Sight’ Fades From View Tonight
Airing tonight on the USA network, the series finale of IN PLAIN SIGHT brings to an end the exploits of Mary Shannon, a tough-as-nails WITSEC marshal who, over the course of five years, has had more than her share of quirky, off-beat adventures. This season alone saw Mary juggle her high-risk job with a newborn [...]
Will Smith Confesses Plan To Take Denzel Washington ‘Uptown’
In theaters later this month, MEN IN BLACK III marks producer/star WILL SMITH'S return to the big screen after a hiatus of almost four years. Directed by BARRY SONNENFIELD, the film's cast also includes TOMMY LEE JONES, JOSH BROLIN, ALICE EVE, BILL HADER, JEMAINE CLEMENT and EMMA THOMPSON.
We caught up with SMITH yesterday and he [...]
‘Dallas’ Star Patrick Duffy Admits Losing Super-Hero Job Was A Blessing
Before he was Bobby Ewing on the mega successful nighttime soap DALLAS, actor PATRICK DUFFY was one of television's first comic book super-heroes on the short lived NBC-TV series THE MAN FROM ATLANTIS. As an amnesiac thought to be the last surviving citizen of the lost civilization of Atlantis, DUFFY'S character had extraordinary underwater superpowers. [...]
‘Fairly Legal’ Star Sarah Shahi Claims To Be Just Another Face In The Crowd
Airing tonight on the USA Network, the popular original series FAIRLY LEGAL stars actress SARAH SHAHI as a passionate and playful San Francisco mediator who is battling a whole new conflict in a sharp, hustling, up-and-coming trial lawyer played by series newcomer RYAN JOHNSON. We spoke with SHAHI at the Television Critics Association press event [...]
SKYLAR LAINE REMAINS “UPBEAT” AFTER ‘AMERICAN IDOL’
Country singer Skylar Laine, whose take no prisoners approach to performing is one of this season's American Idol highlights, was eliminated from the competition last night, leaving Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, and Jessica Sanchez as the final four.
"(Finishing) fifth in American Idol," says Laine, who is pulling for her two closest friends in [...]
‘Avengers’ Star Samuel L. Jackson Admits Cast Played By Whedon’s Rules
The lines are probably already forming for tomorrow's highly-anticipated release of the super-hero epic THE AVENGERS. Gathering together some of the Marvel Universe’s most revered characters, the film actually delivers the goods and promises to put smiles on the faces of fanboys everywhere. Written and directed by JOSS WHEDON, the cast includes CHRIS HEMSWORTH, ROBERT [...]
Kathleen Turner Recalls The Box Office Blockbuster You Almost Never Saw
In theaters tomorrow, THE PERFECT FAMILY is a satiric family drama about a devoutly Catholic woman trying to cope with and hide the fact that her slightly dysfunctional family might stand in the way of her winning a church award. Directed by ANNE RENTON from a script by PAULA GOLDBERG, the ensemble cast includes KATHLEEN [...]
‘Marigold Hotel’ Star Judi Dench ‘Bewitched’ With Indian Location Shooting
Arriving in theaters tomorrow, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is a delightfully romantic fantasy that centers on a group of Brit retirees seeking to live out their lives in an Indian hotel that turns out to be considerably less luxurious than described. Directed by JOHN MADDEN, the all-star cast includes JUDI DENCH, TOM WILKINSON, MAGGIE [...]
Jason Ritter Plays Dumb In ‘A Bag Of Hammers’
Soon to be seen as KATHLEEN TURNER'S ne'er-do-well son in the satiric dramedy THE PERFECT FAMILY, actor JASON RITTER will follow with another offbeat film titled A BAG OF HAMMERS. A comedy/drama hybrid, the film centers on a couple of irresponsible petty thieves who refuse to grow up until an abandoned child forces their hand. [...]
‘Avengers’ Star Chris Evans Hands The Improv Prize To Robert Downey Jr.
The long-awaited and much-anticipated super-hero epic, THE AVENGERS, finally hits theaters this week and gathers together some of the most revered and recognized characters in the Marvel Universe for what fans hope will be a comic-book movie for the ages. Written and directed by fanboy favorite JOSS WHEDON, the cast includes CHRIS HEMSWORTH, ROBERT DOWNEY [...]
‘Sherlock’ Star Benedict Cumberbatch Admits Kerfuffle Over Nude Scene Was Much Ado About Nothing
Returning to PBS for its sophomore season, the popular BBC series SHERLOCK brings to life the famous detective adventures of author ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE. A series of three 90-minute episodes, the opener is based on A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA and finds HOLMES falling for a dominatrix who's blackmailing the royal family with compromising photos. Written [...]
‘The Pirates’ Director Peter Lord Aims For Adult Audience As Well As Kids
Currently in theaters (and still in the box office top five), THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS follows the exploits of an inept group of sea-going rogues vying to win the coveted Pirate-Of-The-Year Award. Beautifully realized by the award-winning AARDMAN ANIMATION STUDIO, the film is rife with the kind of slapstick humor that appeals to kids [...]
‘Marigold Hotel’ Star Tom Wilkinson Found India An ‘Assault To The Senses’
A brilliant British cast highlights THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, which opens in U.S. theaters later this week. A feel-good movie for the DOWNTON ABBEY set, the film centers on a group of Brit retirees seeking to live out their lives in an Indian hotel that turns out to be considerably less luxurious than described. [...]
‘Avengers’ Director Joss Whedon ‘Excited’ To Bring Epic Saga To The Screen
Opening in theaters later this week, THE AVENGERS is the long-awaited and much-anticipated super-hero epic that gathers together some of the most revered characters in the Marvel Universe for what fans hope will be the be-all-and-end-all comic-book movie for the ages. Written and directed by fanboy fave JOSS WHEDON, the cast includes CHRIS HEMSWORTH, ROBERT [...]
New To Blu: Dolly Parton + Queen Latifah = ‘Joyful Noise’
Arriving today on DVD and Blu-ray, JOYFUL NOISE is a musical comedy centering on the conflicts of a gospel choir hell-bent on winning a national singing competition. Written and directed by TODD GRAFF, the cast features DOLLY PARTON, QUEEN LATIFAH, KEKE PALMER, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, COURTNEY B. VANCE, JESSE L. MARTIN and JEREMY JORDAN.
Sitting down with [...]
Mel Gibson Heads For The Small Screen With ‘Get The Gringo’
Eschewing a theatrical U.S. release in favor of going VOD on Direct TV, GET THE GRINGO is a surprisingly entertaining action adventure about an American professional criminal who finds himself tossed into El Pueblito, the most notorious prison in Mexico. Directed by ADRIAN GRUNBERG from a script he co-wrote with producer and star MEL GIBSON, [...]
Being Part Of The ‘Godfather’ Saga Was A Dream Come True For Andy Garcia
Opening in theaters later this season, FOR GREATER GLORY brings to the screen the real-life drama of the Cristeros War, the Mexican rebellion sparked by the government's attempt to secularize the country. Directed by DEAN WRIGHT from a script by MICHAEL LOVE, the cast includes ANDY GARCIA, EVA LONGORIA, OSCAR ISAAC, PETER O'TOOLE, BRUCE GREENWOOD, [...]
Charlie’s Back (Kinda) On Tonight’s ‘Two And A Half Men’
Tonight's episode of the CBS comedy TWO AND A HALF MEN sees the return of the not-so-dearly-departed Charlie Harper as he appears before his recently hospitalized brother Alan. No, CHARLIE SHEEN isn't back on the scene, instead KATHY BATES lights up a cigar and dons a bowling shirt to play the ghost of the irascible [...]
Kathleen Turner Headlines Ensemble Cast In ‘The Perfect Family’
Arriving in theaters and available via VOD later this week, THE PERFECT FAMILY is a satiric family drama about a devoutly Catholic woman so desperate to win a church award that she fails to recognize her family for who they are. Directed by ANNE RENTON from a script by PAULA GOLDBERG, the ensemble cast includes [...]
Scott Speedman Brings Canada’s Most Notorious Bank Robber To Life In ‘Citizen Gangster’
Finally getting a U.S. release via VOD, Canadian import CITIZEN GANGSTER tells the story of Edwin Boyd, Toronto's most infamous and colorful bank robber. Set in the 40s, Boyd returned home from World War II with hopes of supporting his family by becoming an actor. After being turned away from local acting schools, he applied [...]
Guest Stars Gather For Tonight’s Season Finale Of ‘The Good Wife’
Airing tonight on CBS, the Season 3 finale of the hit drama THE GOOD WIFE promises to answer several questions while posing several more as a set up for Season 4. Joining regulars JULIANNA MARGULIES, JOSH CHARLES, CHRIS NOTH, CHRISTINE BARANSKI and ARCHIE PANJABI, recurring guest stars MICHAEL J. FOX, MARTHA PLIMPTON and MATTHEW PERRY [...]
‘THINK LIKE A MAN’ RETAINS #1 BOX OFFICE SPOT WITH $18 MILLION
The sleeper hit Think Like A Man retained its #1 position at the box office with an $18 million haul, beating newcomer The Pirates! Band of Misfits (#2, $11.4 million). The Jason Segel/Emily Blunt rom-com The Five-Year Engagement performed below expectations, limping to a #5 finish with just $11.2 million. Here's the top 10:
1. [...]
Hugh Grant Admits It Was The ‘Profound Silliness’ That Drew Him To ‘The Pirates! Band Of Misfits’
Setting sail in theaters today, THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS is the latest claymation offering from Britain's AARDMAN ANIMATION STUDIOS (the birthplace of the popular WALLACE & GROMITT franchise) and, as always, delivers a beautiful example of stop-motion animated product. Following the exploits of an inept group of sea-going rogues vying to win the coveted [...]
Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction In The Offbeat Comedy ‘Bernie’
Opening in theaters today, BERNIE is inspired by a real-life Texas murder case involving a fastidious mortician and the notoriously hateful rich old woman he befriended and, eventually, stood trial for killing. Directed by RICHARD LINKLATER from a magazine article by SKIP HOLLANDSWORTH, the cast features JACK BLACK, SHIRLEY MacLAINE and MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY.
Playing a woman [...]
John Cusack Brings The ‘Godfather Of Goth’ To Life In ‘The Raven’
Arriving in theaters today, THE RAVEN is the first successful effort in a long series of projects attempting to bring EDGAR ALLEN POE to the screen. An atmospheric thriller, it tells the fictional story of a killer copying the murders committed in POE’S writings. Together with a determined detective, the author is drawn into the [...]
‘AMERICAN IDOL’ ELIMINATION: ELISE TESTONE SEES ROCK AS HER “WHEELHOUSE”
Even though Steven Tyler said she "found her stride" this week, and Jennifer Lopez loved her rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "Bold as Love," rocker Elise Testone was eliminated this week on American Idol.
The good news is Testone found her voice through the American Idol process, and she exceeded expectations by making it to the top [...]
Mel Gibson’s ‘Get The Gringo’ Bows Exclusively Via VOD
Originally titled HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION and now slated for release via VOD, GET THE GRINGO is a high-octane action adventure described by the studio thusly:
"During a high-speed car chase with the US Border Patrol and a bleeding body in his back seat, Driver (Mel Gibson) violently crashes his car into the border [...]
Kathy Griffin’s Hilarious New Talk Show Takes On Diverse Topics
After last week's hilarious debut of two-time Emmy-winner KATHY GRIFFIN'S new talk show, KATHY, it won't be a surprise if Bravo gets a ratings bump as the weekly series progresses and word-of-mouth spreads. GRIFFIN brings razor-sharp wit to a variety of topics as she bounces from subject to subject with ADD dexterity. We sat down [...]
Hugh Grant Gets Animated For ‘The Pirates! Band Of Misfits’
Opening in theaters tomorrow, THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS is the latest claymation offering from the iconic AARDMAN ANIMATION STUDIOS and follows the exploits of an inept group of sea-going rogues vying to win the coveted Pirate-Of-The-Year Award. Short on story, long on visuals, the beautifully realized film is directed by PETER LORD and JEFF [...]
‘Community’ Star Yvette Nicole Brown Loves Her Cast Of ‘Misfit Toys’
Despite rumors of a rift between CHEVY CHASE and showrunner DAN HARMON, the cast of the popular NBC sitcom COMMUNITY always seems to pull it together in time for filming. On tonight's episode, MICHAEL K. WILLIAMS (BOARDWALK EMPIRE) returns for a story that skewers several familiar TV shows. Last week, we sat down with YVETTE [...]
Mariska Hargitay Confesses ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Is A Whole New Show
Currently in its thirteenth season, LAW & ORDER: SVU is the hugely popular police procedural centered on an elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes as part of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department. Created by Emmy Award-winning producer DICK WOLF, the series has received numerous accolades for [...]
‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ Star Dwayne Johnson Admits He’s One Lucky Guy
Opening in theaters next month, G.I. JOE: RETALIATION is the sequel to 2009’s G.I. JOE: RISE OF THE COBRA and features some personnel additions in the form of DWAYNE JOHNSON and BRUCE WILLIS. This time around, the G.I. Joes continue to be pitted against their mortal enemy COBRA while, at the same time, contend with [...]
Seniors Get Their Chance To Prank On ‘Betty White’s Off Their Rockers’
Airing tonight on NBC, BETTY' WHITE'S OFF THEIR ROCKERS takes a page from the PUNK'D playbook and turns it on its ear by having elderly individuals pulling pranks on members of the younger generation. It's all good-natured fun and a testament to the enduring popularity of BETTY WHITE. Still going strong as one of the [...]
Charlize Theron Excited To Be A Member Of The ‘Prometheus’ Cast
Opening in theaters later this season, PROMETHEUS is the highly anticipated prequel to the classic 1979 sci-fi adventure ALIEN. Actually, it's never been made clear that the film is actually a prequel but snippets of footage seen in teasers suggest there is some sort of tie. Directed by RIDLEY SCOTT from a script by JON [...]
A Real-Life Texas Murder Gets Played For Laughs In Richard Linklater’s ‘Bernie’
Opening in theaters this week, BERNIE is an oddball take on a real-life Texas murder that involved a fastidious mortician and the notoriously hateful rich old woman he befriended and, eventually, stood trial for murdering. Directed by RICHARD LINKLATER from a magazine article by SKIP HOLLANDSWORTH, the cast features JACK BLACK, SHIRLEY MacLAINE and MATTHEW [...]
More Time=More Character For ‘Five-Year Engagement’ Producer Apatow
Opening in theaters later this week, THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT is a very funny comedy that charts the ups-and-downs of an engaged couple as they wend their way to the altar. Produced by JUDD APATOW and directed by NICHOLAS STOLLER, the cast includes JASON SEGEL, EMILY BLUNT, CHRIS PRATT, ALISON BRIE, MIMI KENNEDY, DAVID PAYMER, JACKI [...]
New To Blu: HBO Tackles The Birth Of Reality TV With ‘Cinema Verite’
Available today on DVD and Blu-ray, CINEMA VERITE is a feature length docudrama telling the behind-the-scenes story of the groundbreaking 12-hour PBS documentary series AN AMERICAN FAMILY. Originally aired in 1973, the series is considered television's first "reality" series and has since been named by TV Guide one of the top 50 greatest shows of [...]
Tim Burton Loves That Johnny Depp Is A ‘Major Transformer’
Arriving in theaters next month, DARK SHADOWS is director TIM BURTON’S quirky, offbeat big screen adaptation of the ’60s daytime TV soap opera that captivated a worldwide audience. Ridiculously low-budgeted, the gothic drama centered on vampire Barnabas Collins and his family as they dealt with being creatures of the night. Under BURTON’S direction, the new [...]
Best Selling Author Nicholas Sparks Admits It Takes Compromise To Go From Page To Screen
Currently riding high on the weekend box office chart, THE LUCKY ONE is a deeply romantic drama centering on a Marine vet returning to the States from his third tour of duty in the Middle East determined to find the anonymous woman pictured in a photograph he found and credits with his still being alive. [...]
‘Eureka’ Stars Hit The Pavement As Series Comes To A Close
Airing tonight on SYFY, the popular series EUREKA is titled THE REAL THING and follows the town's continued search for the missing Astraeus ship. Created by ANDREW COSBY and JAIME PAGLIA, this popular, quirky series has made familiar faces of stars COLIN FERGUSON, SALLI RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD, JOE MORTON, ERICA CERRA and NEIL GRAYSTON (all of whom [...]
‘Think Like A Man’ Source Material Written For Steve Harvey’s Daughters
Currently in theaters (and at the top of the weekend box office heap), THINK LIKE A MAN tells the story of four best friends whose love lives get turned upside down when their women start taking HARVEY’S relationship advice. Directed by TIM STORY from a screenplay by KEITH MERRYMAN and DAVID A. NEWMAN, the cast [...]
A New HBO Sitcom Takes On The White House With ‘Veep’
Premiering tonight on HBO, VEEP stars JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS as Selina Meyer, vice president of the United States. Created by ARMANDO IANNUCCI, the series is an American companion piece to his highly successful BBC series THE THICK OF IT and its 2009 spin-off film IN THE LOOP. Ultimately a work-place comedy, the show's fatal flaw is [...]
Things Are Going To Get Hot For ‘The Real Housewives Of New Jersey
Returning tonight for its fourth season on Bravo, THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY promises to heat up the feud only hinted at in the season three reunion show. As the season opens, all seems to be well but as the series progresses fans will see what led up to the major meltdown between CAROLINE [...]
‘THINK LIKE A MAN’ TOPS ‘HUNGER’ & ‘LUCKY ONE’ WITH $33 MILLION
Think Like A Man, starring Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union, and Michael Ealy, debuted at the #1 spot at the box office, besting The Hunger Games and fellow newcomer The Lucky One, which also had a strong showing with a solid second place finish ($22.8 million). Here's the top 10:
1. Think Like A Man - $33 [...]
Pop Culture Gets Its ‘Finest Hour’ In Patton Oswalt Comedy Central Special
Airing tonight on Comedy Central (just three days prior to its official DVD release), PATTON OSWALT: FINEST HOUR actually lives up to its title by presenting some of the funniest and most thoughtful material the titular comic/actor has come up with. A self-proclaimed nerd with an encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, OSWALT has been in [...]
Ziggy Marley Admits New Doc Is The ‘Definitive’ Piece On Dad
Available via VOD and in select theaters today, MARLEY is director KEVIN MACDONALD'S fascinating look at the life and times of notable Rastafarian and the king of the reggae revolution, BOB MARLEY. Based primarily on anecdotal material and concert footage, the film manages to be a thoughtful and informative history of a man not a lot [...]
Reuniting With Tim Burton Was ‘Like A Dream’ For Johnny Depp
Arriving in theaters next month, DARK SHADOWS is director TIM BURTON’S spoofy big screen adaptation of the ’60s daytime TV soap opera that took the country by storm. A cult favorite, the gothic drama centers on vampire Barnabas Collins and his family as they deal with various creatures of the night. Under BURTON’S direction, the [...]
Yvette Nicole Brown Not Worried That ‘Community’ Hasn’t Made The Cut Yet
One of NBC's funniest (if not most popular) sitcoms, COMMUNITY has a loyal and vocal fanbase. When the network pulled the series for a short term, it was the fans who made their displeasure known via emails and tweets. A delightfully quirky and pop-centric comedy, the show stars an ensemble cast that includes JOEL McHALE, [...]
Dwayne Johnson Promises ‘G.I. Joe’ Reboot Will Be Something Special
Opening in theaters next month, G.I. JOE: RETALIATION is the sequel to 2009's G.I. JOE: RISE OF THE COBRA and features some personnel additions in the form of DWAYNE JOHNSON and BRUCE WILLIS. Directed by JON M. CHU from a screenplay by RHETT REESE and PAUL WERNICK, the cast also includes CHANNING TATUM, ADRIANNE PALICKI, [...]
‘DARLING COMPANION’ A DIGITAL EXPERIENCE FOR DIRECTOR LAWRENCE KASDAN
Although Lawrence Kasdan has directed two first rate Westerns (Silverado, Wyatt Earp), a highly revered film noir (Body Heat), and several evocative dramas (The Accidental Tourist and the thematically ambitious Grand Canyon), getting a movie made in Hollywood, even for him, has been an uphill climb.
Mr. Kasdan's last feature was 2003's Dreamcatcher, a [...]
R.I.P. ‘Dark Shadows’ Star Jonathan Frid
It's been reported that actor JONATHAN FRID has died at the age of 87. Apparently, the Canadian actor passed away last Friday in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. Probably best known for his role of vampire Barnabas Collins on the hugely popular 60's daytime soap DARK SHADOWS, FRID will soon be seen reprising the role [...]


